ABS age data shows Australians are getting older

AUSTRALIANS are getting older. They are also flocking to Victoria and Queensland, and away from every other state and territory.

Data from the Bureau of Statistics shows Australia's population is continuing to age, with implications for health budgets, the size of the working-age population, housing and demand for skilled labour.

Since 1995, the proportion of Australia's population aged 65 years or older has jumped from 11.9 per cent to 15 per cent.

Over the same period, the proportion aged under 15 years has fallen from 21.5 per cent to 18.8 per cent.

The median age of Australians - the age at which half the population is older and half is younger - has increased from 34 years to 37 years.